Gardaí arrest three and seize €400k worth of drugs and goods in Dublin operation

A large convoy of garda vehicles making its way through north Dublin during Tuesday morning's operation. Picture: An Garda Síochána

Weapons and almost €400,000 worth of drugs, designer watches, clothes, and power tools were seized on Tuesday and three men were arrested after more than 150 gardaí swooped on multiple properties across north Dublin.

The raids were part of a major garda operation targeting organised crime gangs in the Coolock and Raheny areas which have been operating nationally.

Drugs, designer watches, and power tools

Gardaí seized suspected illegal cannabis with an approximate value of €160,000, cocaine worth an estimated €22,000, designer watches and clothing worth €161,000 and industrial power tools worth €30,000.

The drugs seized are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.

Vehicles and weapons also seized

Three vehicles, and a number of weapons, have also been seized.

During the course of the operation, Garda members attached to the Social Welfare Investigation Unit have identified significant and numerous suspected fraudulent claims which will be subject to further assessment.

Three arrests

One man aged in his 20s was arrested in connection with the searches, and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a Garda station in the North Dublin area. He has since been charged.

Two men aged in their 20s and 30s were arrested on foot of outstanding bench warrants.

The three arrested men were due to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice last night.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Gardaí searched some 39 properties under warrant in the operation on Tuesday during which they arrested three men. Picture: An Garda Síochána

Some 39 properties were searched under warrant on Tuesday morning.

The investigation was into the activity of a number of organised criminal gangs suspected as being involved in burglaries across the country, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, theft and other property crimes.

The searches particularly targeted organised crime gangs in the Coolock and Raheny areas.

But despite the localised searches, the gangs operate nationally.

Over 150 Garda members from the DMR North, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, Operational Support including the Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit were involved in the operation, with additional support provided by the Garda National Public Order Unit.